We are sometimes asked whether attempts to lose weight (or maintain weight), or even just a conversation about weight control, can trigger an eating disorder. There is no evidence to suggest that adequate childhood obesity treatment leads to eating disorders. However, weight management does not always protect against eating disorders. In fact, there is evidence that being overweight or obese can lead to an eating disorder, such as binge eating.

Having control over how much one eats and being somewhat preoccupied with it in thought can be necessary when trying to lose weight (or maintain weight). We face many situations and choices during the day when we have to decide how much food to put on our plate, whether to eat another portion, what to drink with the meal, whether we have to eat something sweet with our coffee break, have an evening sandwich, and so on. Being able to say no, abstain, or choose differently actually requires us to make conscious choices and think about food and drink in various situations several times a day. This in itself does not mean that it is a bad or disordered behavior.

It is only when the child shows signs of, or talks about, skipping meals, secretly eating, lying, or losing control of how much they eat, feeling guilty after eating, trying to compensate by exercising immediately afterward, or trying to vomit food, that it becomes a problem.

We have all children over the age of nine answer questions about feelings related to eating and eating behavior.